DURHAM — Throughout the season, N.C. Central coach Henry Frazier III has preached one phrase to his players about the style of play he wants to embody – “Bring the hammer.”

The Eagles brought the hammer in every phase, scoring a touchdown on the ground, through the air, on special teams and on defense, to crush Hampton, 37-20, on Thursday night in their first televised game as a member of the MEAC.

Each time Hampton (1-5, 1-3 MEAC) scored, the Eagles (5-2, 4-0) had an answer. And when the Pirates pulled within three points with 9:21 remaining, senior Arthur Goforth responded by returning a kickoff 90 yards for a touchdown.

On defense, linebacker Ty Brown suffocated the Pirates. The reigning MEAC Defensive Player of the Week finished with a sack and another tackle for loss.

Hampton struck first with a field goal on their second drive. After two long passes, NCCU linebacker Ty Brown shot up the middle and sacked the Hampton quarterback, helping hold the Pirates to a 41-yard field goal by Taurean Durham.

The next 6 minutes, 11 seconds changed the game for the Eagles as they would force three turnovers – each resulting in touchdowns.

Linebacker Tazmon Foster supplied the spark for the Eagles with an 80-yard interception that he returned for a touchdown after shedding four different tacklers to give the Eagles a three-point lead after the missed point-after attempt.

A botched snap by Hampton gave the Eagles another opportunity from the Hampton 18, which resulted in a 1-yard touchdown run by Andre Clark on fourth down, putting the Eagles up by 10.

After another fumble by the Pirates, quarterback Jordan Reid hit Geovonie Irvine in stride for a 30-yard touchdown on the first play following the fumble, putting NCCU up 20-3 heading into the half.

With the Eagles leading 23-13, momentum shifted with 10:02 remaining in the fourth quarter when a bad snap by the Eagles gave the Pirates an opportunity to come back. Jeremiah Schwartz then broke off a 38-yard touchdown run, bringing the score to 23-20 after the two-point conversion with 9:21 remaining in the game.

Goforth responded with the 90-yard return to put the Eagles up for good on the ensuing kickoff. Gary Douglas put the game out of reach for N.C. Central with a 21-yard touchdown reception on the next drive.